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A SEAT IN SUSPENSE: IS DR. FUSMALOHI APPEALING?

Etuate Lavulau
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A SEAT IN SUSPENSE: IS DR. FUSMALOHI APPEALING?

The people of the country are concerned about the status of the 11th Congressional District, which has been convicted by the Court.

Dr. Daniel Fusimaloh won the election of Eua 11, in the November 2025 Parliamentary Election, by 1,179 to 409 of the next candidate and was appointed to the position of Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. Tevita Lavemaau, also was a candidate of Eua 11, sued Dr. Fusimalohi for ‘bribery’ during the 3-month ban on Tongan Parliamentary Election law. On 8 June 2026, Chief Justice Paul Garlik KC found Dr. Fusimalohi guilty of this charge.

So, the questions that are coming up now are as follows:

  1. What is happening now?
  2. Did the Minister of Land and Natural Resources submitted an appeal to the Court of Appeal?
  3. If an appeal was filed, was a petition for ‘STAY’ submitted too?

Due to the appeal submissions by those who were convicted under the Parliamentary Election Laws, a special Appeal Hearing session has been set to be held July 7 – July 14th 2026. This is to ensure that the appeal hearings are conducted timely so that the Ministers or Parliamentary Representatives does not have to wait too long but to settle and into each of their responsibilities.

However, there are talks that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has not lodged an appeal with the Court of Appeal. This means that not all ministers who have been found to be in breach of the electoral laws have submitted an appeal to the appeal session of July 2026.

Questions then from the people:

  1. What is the right Parliament protocol for a Minister that has been convicted  under the parliament electoral laws, if he/she has not submitted a ‘STAY’ application to the court of appeals?
  2. Is it only Tonga that experiences this in the world?

TU’UTU’UNI ‘E 2, TANGI ‘E 1 – KO HA TOE MO’UA LAU MILIONA ‘A E PULE’ANGA?

Etuate Lavulau
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TU’UTU’UNI ‘E 2, TANGI ‘E 1 – KO HA TOE MO’UA LAU MILIONA ‘A E PULE’ANGA?

‘I he 2020, na‘e fakamo‘oni ai ‘a e Potungāue ‘o e Ngaahi Ngāue Lalahi ‘a Tonga pea mo e Kautaha Inter-Pacific Ltd. ki he aleapau ngāue tanu hala. ‘I he 2022, na‘e kaniseli heni ‘e he Potungāue ‘o e Ngaahi Ngāue Lalahi ‘a Tonga ‘a e ngāue ko ‘eni. Na‘e makatu‘unga heni ‘a e faka‘ilo ‘e he kautaha ni ‘a e Pule‘anga Tonga, pea tala tu‘utu‘uni ai ‘a e Fakamaau Lahi ko Justice Whitten KC (CV662022) ‘i he 2023, ke totongi ‘e he Pule‘anga Tonga ki he Inter-Pacific Ltd. ‘a e ngāue na‘a nau fakahoko ‘o fakatatau ki he ‘enau aleapau ngāue. ‘Oku a‘u ki he ‘aho ni, ‘oku te‘eki ke totongi ‘e he Pule‘anga Tonga ‘a e mo‘ua ko ‘eni.

‘I he ‘aho 27 ‘Epeleli 2026, na‘e tu‘utu‘uni ai ‘e he Fakamaau‘anga Lahi, Justice Tupou KC ‘i he keisi fika CV 40/2022, ki he Inter-Pacific Ltd. ke totongi ‘a e $2 miliona tupu ki he Pangikē Langa Fakalakalaka ‘o Tonga. ‘Oku fekau‘aki ‘eni pea mo e nō $4 miliona ‘a e kautaha ni, ‘i he aleapau ngāue ko ‘eni mo e Pule‘anga Tonga ‘i he 2020. Na‘e fakahū ai heni ‘a e tangi ‘a e kautaha ni ki he Fakamaau‘anga Tangi ‘a Tonga, koe‘uhi ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e tu‘utu‘uni Fakamaau‘anga ‘e ua kuo ‘osi fakahoko ki he me‘a tatau pē ko ‘eni. Na‘e ‘oatu fakataha ‘a e tangi ko ‘eni pea mo e kole ke ‘STAY’ ‘a e tu‘utu‘uni ‘o e CV 40/2022, kae ‘oua leva kuo ‘osi ‘a e hopo Tangi AC 8/2026.

‘I he hopo CV 66/2022, na‘e tala tu‘utu‘uni ai ‘a e Fakamaau Lahi – Justice Whitten KC – ke totongi ‘e he Pule‘anga Tonga ki he Inter-Pacific Ltd. ‘a e ngāue kuo ‘osi fakahoko ‘e he kautaha ni. Na‘e te‘eki ke fakahoko ‘e he Pule‘anga Tonga ‘a e totongi ko ‘eni. ‘I he hopo CV 40/2022, na‘e tala tu‘utu‘uni ai ‘a e Fakamaau Lahi – Justice Tupou KC – ke totongi ‘e he kautaha Inter-Pacific Ltd. ‘a e $2 miliona tupu ki he Pangikē Langa Fakalakalaka ‘o Tonga, ko e toenga nō $4 miliona ia na‘e fakahoko ‘e he kautaha mei he aleapau ngāue pea mo e Pule‘anga. ‘Oku tangi ‘a e Inter-Pacific Ltd. – AC 8/2026 – ki he Fakamaau‘anga Tangi, koe‘uhi ‘oku ua ‘a e tu‘utu‘uni fakamaau‘anga ki he keisi tatau pē.

‘I he tu‘utu‘uni ‘a e Fakamaau Lahi, Justice Whitten KC (CV 66/2022), ‘oku fakafuofua ki he pa‘anga ‘oku ‘i he lauimiliona lahi ‘e totongi ‘e he Pule‘anga Tonga ki he kautaha ni. ‘I he‘ene tu’u ‘i he taimi ni, ‘oku lahi ange ‘a e pa‘anga ‘e fiema‘u ke totongi ‘e he Pule‘anga Tonga ‘i he $2 miliona tupu ‘oku pehē ‘e he Pangikē Langa Fakalakalaka ‘o Tonga ‘oku mo‘ua ange ai ‘a e kautaha Inter-Pacific Ltd.

‘Oku te‘eki ke ‘aofangatuku ‘a e Fakamaau‘anga ki he hopo Tangi AC 8/2026, pea koe‘uhi ko ia, ‘oku pelepelengesi ke fai ha lave fakaikiiki ki he me‘a ni. Ka ‘oku tuku atu ‘a e ongoongo ni he ‘oku ‘ohake ‘i he mītia fakasōsiale (social media) ‘a e keisi ko ‘eni.

Kaikehe, ‘oku ‘ohake heni e fehu’i tatau – Ko Tonga´, ko ha fonua ia ‘oku malava ke ‘i ai ha’a ne mo’ua ‘oku tupu mei he founga fakahoko fatongia ‘a e Pule’anga´, lolotonga ‘oku lele ‘i ha Patiseti Nounou ‘aki e $38 miliona ‘i he 2026 – 2027´?

2 VERDICTS, 1 APPEAL – ANOTHER POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT DEBT IN THE MILLIONS?

Etuate Lavulau
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In 2020, the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) signed on a road works contract with Inter Pacific Ltd. In 2022, this contract was cancelled by MOI. Due to this cancellation, Inter Pacific Ltd took MOI to court where Justice Whitten KC on case CV66 2022, ruled that the Government of Tonga pay Inter Pacific Ltd for works done in accordance with the working contract. The Government of Tonga has not made any payments to today.

On the 27th April 2026, Justice Tupou KC, on case CV40/2022, delivered a verdict that Inter Pacific Ltd pay $2 million plus to Tonga Development Bank. This is related to a $4milion loan that the company took based on the road works contract with the Ministry of Infrastructure in 2020. Inter Pacific Ltd then appealed to the Court of Appeals of Tonga regarding the existing 2 different court verdicts on this same case. The appeal was submitted together with the application to ‘STAY’ the CV20/2022 verdict until the appeal case AC8/2026 is finalized.

On case CV66/2022, Justice Whitten KC delivered a verdict that the Government of Tonga makes payments to Inter Pacific Ltd for works completed. This has not been carried out by the Government of Tonga. On case CV40/2022, Justice Tupou KC delivered at verdict that Inter Pacific Ltd makes payments of $2milion plus to Tonga Development Bank as remaining balance of the $4 million loan that was based on the road works contract with the Government of Tonga. On the appeal case AC 8/2026 of the Court of Appeals, Inter Pacific Ltd is appealing, due to 2 court verdicts on the same case.

From the verdict delivered by Justice Whitten KC (CV66/2022), it is estimated that the Government of Tonga will be making payments to this company in several millions exceeding the $2 million plus that the Tonga Development Bank of Tonga is owed to by Inter Pacific Ltd.

The Court of Appeals has not finalized case AC8/2026 and due to this, it is with caution that details are provided at this point. But this has been put out as it has been brought up in the social media.

This however, brings up the same question – Is Tonga a country that can afford debts resulting from Government Performance, when currently at a Budget Deficit of $38 million for 2026 – 2027?

Faka’ikai’i ‘e Edwards e Tukuaki’i $5miliona, mo e Ngaue Fakalao ki he Tukuaki’i

Etuate Lavulau
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Faka’ikai’i ‘e Edwards e Tukuaki’i $5miliona, mo e Ngaue Fakalao ki he Tukuaki’i

‘I he hopo e vaha’a ‘o ‘Epalahame Lingikoni Taukei’aho pea mo Pita Hopoate mo e Poate e Kolisi Tutuku Liahona´ (CV50 2024), na’e faka’ikai’i mamafa ai ‘e William Clive Edwards ‘a e ongoongo taki hala mo ‘ikai mo’oni ‘oku hā ‘i he mitia fakasosiale´ ‘o tukuaki’i ai ‘e he tangata Tonga ‘a e ongo Loea ni ‘o pehē na’e fokotu’u atu ‘e he loea ke totongi e $5 miliona mei he pa’anga ‘a e Kolisi Tutuku Liahona´.

Ko e fakafofonga lao ‘a ‘Epalahame Taukei’aho´ ko ‘Alisa pea ko e fakafofonga lao ‘a Pita Hopoate mo e Poate e Kolisi Tutuku Liahona ko Clive Edwards. Ko e Fakamaau Lahi ki he hopo ni ko Justice Bishop KC.

Ko e hopo eni ‘oku pehē ne tu’o lahi e feinga ke nau fakalelei pē ‘i tu’a mo e ‘ikai lava. Ko e tu’unga ‘oku lolotonga ‘i ai e hopo ni, ‘oku fakatatali ki he ngaahi fokotu’u fakatohi ne ‘osi fakahū atu ‘e he ongo loea´ ki he fakamaau’anga lahi´. I he taimi tatau, oku hā mai he FB mo e ngaahi media fakasosiale´ ‘a e ngaahi fakamatala mo e ngaahi talanoa ‘o fakataumu’a ke tuku hifo ‘aki e Loea ‘a e kau Faka’iloa´. ‘I he taimi tatau oku fakahā ‘ehe Loea ‘a e Faka’iloa´ ki he letio 88.1FM he pongipongi ni e hoko atu e ngāue fakalao´ ke fakatonutonu a e ngaahi laui kovi’i ko eni´ oku fai ehe ni’ihi ko eni´

Edwards Denies $5M Liahona Alumni Payout Rumors, Vows Legal Action

Etuate Lavulau
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Edwards Denies $5M Liahona Alumni Payout Rumors, Vows Legal Action

In the court case CV50 2024 between ‘Epalahame Lingikoni Taukei’aho and Pita Hopoate and the Liahona Alumni, William Clive Edwards seriously declined untruthful and misleading news on social media where a Tonga man stated that the lawyer suggested that $5 million pa’anga be paid out from the Liahona Alumni’s funds.

‘Epalahame Lingikoni Taukei’aho’s lawyer is Alisa and the lawyer representing Pita Hopoate and Liahona Alumni is William Clive Edwards. The judge is Justice Bishop KC.

This case is said that the two parties have tried to settle outside of court several times but to no avail. It is currently now awaiting submissions from both sides to the Supreme Court.

At the same time, articles and stories are appearing on FB and social media in an attempt to bring down the Defendants’ Attorney. At the same time, the Defendant’s Attorney tells 88.1FM radio this morning that legal action will continue to rectify these allegations.

$7 MILIONA E MAHU’INGA FAKAPA’ANGA E ‘IKAI MALAVA FAKAHOKO NGAUE E PULE’ANGA?

Etuate Lavulau
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$7 MILIONA E MAHU’INGA FAKAPA’ANGA E ‘IKAI MALAVA FAKAHOKO NGAUE E PULE’ANGA?

Lī ki tahi e fuʻu paʻanga ‘e $7 miliona ʻa e fonuá, pea ʻoku ngalingali ʻe toe a’u pē ki he $14 miliona, kapau heʻikai ke lava ʻe he Puleʻanga lolotongá ʻo solova e palopalema fakakelekele ʻoku lolotonga hoko ki he konga kelekele ʻi he Fangaʻuta Lagoon Bridge ʻi he tafaʻaki ki ʻUmukisiá, talu mei hono fakam’oni e aleapau ngāue ʻa e Puleʻanga Tongá mo e kautaha McConnell Dowell Construction Ltd mo e Potungāue ki he Ngaahi Ngāue Lalahi ʻa e Puleʻanga Tongá.

Sepitema 2025 – Puleʻanga ʻo Dr. ʻAisake Eke – Fakamoʻoni ʻa e Potungāue ki he Ngaahi Ngāue Lalahi ʻa e Puleʻanga Tongá pea mo e kautaha McConnell Dowell Construction Ltd ki he aleapau ngāue ki hono langa ʻo e hala fakakavakava Fangaʻuta Lagoon Bridge, mo e ʻamanaki ʻe kamata e ngāue ni ʻi ʻOkatopa 2025.

20 Novema 2025 – Naʻe fakahoko heni ʻa e Fili Fale Aleá, pea fetongi e Palēmiá meia Dr. ʻAisake Eke kia Lord Fakafanua, pea fetongi ai heni mo e Minisitā ʻo e Potungāue ki he Ngaahi Ngāue Lalahí meia Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi kia Semisi Sika.

Sune 2026 – Kuo lava eni e māhina ʻe 7 ʻoku teʻeki ke lava ʻo kamata e ngāue ko ení. ʻOku makatuʻunga eni ʻi he fetōkehekeheʻaki ʻi he meʻa fakakelekelé, pea ʻoku teʻeki lava ʻe he puleʻanga lolotongá ʻo vete ange ʻa e tatūsia ko ení. Ko e mahuʻinga fakapaʻanga ʻo e tatūsia ko ení ko e $7 miliona, ʻa ia kuo ʻosi totongi.

Tuʻu ki he Kahaʻú: Māʻasi 2026 – Sepitema 2026 – Kapau ʻe ʻikai lava ʻe he puleʻanga lolotongá ʻo solova e palopalema fakakelekele ko ení, ʻoku ngali ʻe toe totongi mo e toe paʻanga ʻe $7 miliona ki ai.

“Ko e ngaahi fehuʻi mei he Kakaí´:

  1. ʻI ha patiseti fakafonua ʻoku nounou ʻaki e $38 miliona / hiki vāhenga 3% COLA (ʻa e kau ngāue fakapuleʻangá pē) ki he hikihiki  9.5% ʻa e totongi koloa /  ʻekonōmika ʻoku fakaʻuta ʻe holo ʻaki e 2.3% ʻi he 2026 pea toe holo hifo ʻaki e 1.9% ʻi he 2027 – Ko ha fonua nai ʻa Tonga ʻoku malava ke ne feau e faʻahinga ngāue taʻefeʻunga ko eni ʻoku fakamahuʻingaʻi ki he $7 miliona?
  1. KO E HĀ? – ʻOku ʻi ai e lao kelekele ʻoku lava ʻo fakangāueʻi ki he kaveinga ko ení. Ko e hā e ʻuhinga ʻoku ʻikai lava ai ʻo solova e meʻa ní?
  1. KO HAI? – Ko hai ʻoku ne fakafeʻātungiaʻi e lao kelekele ʻoku lava ʻo fakangāueʻi ki he kaveinga ko ení?
  1. Ko e $7 miliona ko ení ko e tupu mei he:
    a. Fetongi ʻo e Palēmiá mo e Kau Minisitá?
    b. ʻIkai ke maʻu e taukei fakangāue feʻunga ki he palopalema ko ení?
    c. Fakatoloi pē nai ʻaki ha ngaahi ʻuhinga ʻoku ʻikai ke hā mai ki tuʻá?

Kapau ʻe ʻikai lava ke solova eni ʻi he kahaʻu vave maí, ʻe malava pē ke hoko ʻa e langa hala fakakavakava ko ení ko e mateʻanga fakaʻekonōmika ki hotau fonuá, ʻa ē ʻoku lolotonga tō lalo pē.

BRIDGING THE DEFICIT – $7 MILLION COST OF GOVERNMENT INACTION?

Etuate Lavulau
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BRIDGING THE DEFICIT – $7 MILLION COST OF GOVERNMENT INACTION?

$7 million thrown into the sea and it is likely to rise to $14 million if the current Government fails to solve the ongoing land problem of the Fanga’uta Lagoon Bridge to the ‘Umukisia side, since the contract has been signed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and McConnell Dowell Construction Ltd.

September 2025 – Government of ‘Aisake Eke – The contract to build the Fanga’uta Lagoon Bridge was signed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and McConnell Dowell Construction Ltd, with the hope to commence in October 2025.

20 November 2025 – Parliament Election changed the Prime Minister from Dr. ‘Aisake Eke to Lord Fakafanua and also the Minister of Infrastructure from Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi to Semisi Sika.

June 2026 – It is now over 7 months and still this contracted project has not begun. This is due to land issue and the current government still has not been able to solve this problem. The worth of this unresolved issue is $7 million which has been paid.

Forecast: March 2026 – September 2026 – If the current government will still have this land issue unresolved, it appears that there will be another $7 million that will be paid out again.

Arising questions from the People:

  1. On a National Budget Deficit of $38 million / 3% COLA (for civil servants only) to a 9.5% inflation rate / an economy forecasting a 2.3% fall in 2026 and falling further by 1.9% in 2027 – Is Tonga a country that can afford this kind of performance which amounts to a $7 million?
  2. WHAT? – There are land laws that can be applied to this issue here. What is the cause of this issue remaining unresolved?
  3. WHO? – Who is obstructing the application of these land laws to this issue?
  4. Is this $7 million a result of:
    1. The changing of the Prime Minister and Ministers?
    1. A lacking of the right skills, knowledge and experience needed for this issue?
    1. Intentionally delayed for reasons that are not transparent?

If this problem is not resolved in the very near future, it is possible that this bridge will become the flatline of our country’s economy, which is already falling.

Pule’anga ‘e 2 ‘i he Teemi Falealea ‘e 2 – Na’e Ngaue’aki Hala Nai Ha $9 Million?

Etuate Lavulau
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Pule’anga ‘e 2 ‘i he Teemi Falealea ‘e 2 – Na’e Ngaue’aki Hala Nai Ha $9 Million?

‘I he ‘aho 9 ‘o Tisema 2024, na‘e fakafisi ai ‘a e Palemia ‘o Tonga ‘i he taimi ko iá, Siaosi Sovaleni, mei hono tu‘unga ko e Palemiá, kimu‘a ia pea fakahoko ‘a e ‘vote of no confidence’ fekau‘aki mo ‘ene founga tatakí. ‘I he ‘aho 22 ‘o Sanuali 2025, na‘e fakanofo ai ‘a ‘Aisake Eke ko e Palemia ‘o Tonga. ‘I Sepitema 2025, na‘e pehē ai ‘e Dr. ‘Aisake Eke kuo ‘osi tuku atu ki he Komisione Fakafepaki ki he Faihala (Anti-Corruption Commission) ‘a e ngaahi fakamatala fakamo‘oni fekau‘aki mo e faihala ‘i he pule‘anga ‘o Siaosi Sovalení.

Ko e 2026 eni, pea ko e fehu‘í: Ko e mo‘oni ko e $9 miliona ‘a e lahi ‘o e pa‘anga na‘e ngāue hala ‘akí? Ko e mo‘oni na‘e fakahoko ‘e he ‘eiki minisita mālōlō ‘o e pule‘anga ‘o e 2022–2024, e ngāue ia te‘eki ke fai ha aleapau ngāue ki ai, pe fou ‘i he founga fakatau fakapule‘anga totonú ke fou ‘i he talamahu‘inga pea toki fili mei ai po ko hai ‘oku ma‘ama‘a mo leleí pea toki ‘oange ki ai ‘a e ngāuē? Ka ‘oku mo‘oni nai ‘a e tukuaki‘i kuo fakahoko ‘e he ‘Atita Senialé ki he tu‘unga na‘e ‘i ai ‘a e faitu‘utu‘uni hala ko ‘eni ‘a e ‘eiki minisitá pea mo e maumau‘i ‘o e laó? Ko e fehu‘í, ko e hā ‘a e me‘a ‘oku fai ‘e he Fale Aleá mo e Kapinetí ki he maumau lao ko ‘ení?

3 Administrations in 2 Legislative Terms – Could 9 Million Have Been Embezzled?

Etuate Lavulau
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3 Administrations in 2 Legislative Terms – Could 9 Million Have Been Embezzled?

On the 9th December 2024, Tonga’s Prime Minister at the time, Siaosi Sovaleni, resigned from the position of Prime Minister, shortly before a vote of no confidence on his leadership.

On the 22nd January 2025, ‘Aisake Eke was appointed as the Prime Minister of Tonga. In September 2025, Dr. ‘Aisake Eke says that evidence of corruption in the government of Siaosi Sovaleni’s government has been officially handed over to the Anti-Corruption Commission. 2026 – the question today – Is it true that this misappropriated fund amounts to $9,684,227.92 (nine million)? Is it true that the previous minister of the 2022-2024 government carried out works without any agreement or contract of such or go through the government’s proper procurement channels?

To go through proper biddings before selecting the cheapest and quality? Is the Attorney Auditor’s claim true that the former minister’s decision on this matter was wrong and in breach of the law? What is Parliament and Cabinet doing about this violation of the law?

Sivi’i ‘o e Tui´: Fehangahangai Fakalao e Siasi Tokaikolo´ Fekau’aki mo e Tu’unga Fakataki´.

Etuate Lavulau
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Sivi’i ‘o e Tui´: Fehangahangai Fakalao e Siasi Tokaikolo´ Fekau’aki mo e Tu’unga Fakataki´.

Na’e kamata ‘i he ‘aho Tūsite, 16 ‘o Sune 2026, ‘a e hopo mahu’inga ‘aupito ‘i he vaha’a ‘o e kau faifekau na’a nau faifekau pule mālōlō, pea mo e Palesiteni lolotonga mo e Sēkelitali Lahi lolotonga ‘o e Siasi Tokaikolo ‘Ia Kalaisi.

Ko e tukuaki’i eni ‘e he talatalaaki ‘a e faka’iloa, ‘oku ‘ikai fakakonisitūtone mo fakalao ‘a ‘ena kei hoko atu ko e palesiteni lahi mo e sēkelitali lahi ‘o e siasi. Ko e kau fakamo’oni ‘e toko 3 ‘oku ‘amanaki ke ui ‘e he talatalaaki, pea ko e kau fakamo’oni ‘e toko 10 ‘oku ‘amanaki ke ui ‘e he faka’iloa.

Ko e Talatalaakí ko Rev. Mesake Mapapalangi mei Tonga ni, kā ‘oku ne lolotonga hoko ko e faifekau ‘o e siasí ‘i ‘Aositelelia. Ko e fakafofonga lao ‘o e Talatalaakí ko Sifa Tu’utafaiva. Ko e Faka’iloá ko e Palesiteni lolotongá, Rev. Saia Fepuiaki Tatafu, pea mo e Sēkelitali Lahi lolotongá, Rev. Siaosi Pita Kava. Ko e fakafofonga lao ‘o e faka’iloá ko Clive Edwards. Ko e fakamaau ‘i he hopo ko ení ko e Fakamaau Lahi Le’ole’ó – Justice ‘Elisapeti Langi.

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